First Moon shot....

rochler · #1 13-12-2005, 01:02 AM

This was a funny experience. You'd have laughed if you'd seen me attempting to get a decent vid. of the moon with gusting winds and patchy clouds. Only an idiot (or someone keen) would bother. But it was really to try things out.

I did get a few shaky frames together. The one below is the ONLY single frame from the first run that I could print. It's not really focused or detailed, but it's a start! My very first effort ever wow...

Well, I'm off to bed, I'm cold & stuffed hehe...

Cheers, Fred...

TidaLpHasE · #2 13-12-2005, 01:44 AM

For a first effort, you have to be happy with that.

Well done, keep em coming

matt · #3 13-12-2005, 05:04 AM

Well done mate.

The moon's great for (imaging) target practice.

You've reminded me it's time to get out their and "fire off" a few more rounds.

I'm going to try for the full moon and see if I can acheive contrast, detail etc etc

iceman (Mike) · #4 13-12-2005, 06:40 AM

I think that's a great shot, Fred! A great range of greys in your image.

What telescope/camera combo did you use?

I've had a quick 30 second play in photoshop to show how it looks using my usual method of processing - let me know if you'd prefer I remove it.

asimov (John) · #5 13-12-2005, 06:54 AM

Nice first shot!! Bet you have a 'cheesy' grin on your dial!!?

Robert_T · #6 13-12-2005, 07:02 AM

Hi Fred, but is it made of cheese

? Nice first shot, may it be the start of something that makes you cold and stuffed for many many happy hours to come...cheers

Hitchhiker · #7 13-12-2005, 12:51 PM

Brilliant first image, Fred!

rochler · #8 13-12-2005, 01:32 PM

appreciate the feedback.

It's good just to get started 'coz there is so much to learn at each step. It's only when you actually try doing it that you realize just how many variables there are & how much effort goes into getting a decent set of images.

I didn't do much post processing, basically just an unsharp mask, auto colour adjustment. I really like the extra detail you managed to squeeze out of the image Iceman - how did you do this? This is an area I'd like to practice....

For this pic. I used a ToUcam Pro II in an unguided 6" newt. on a wobbly GEM. It was gusting wind & clouds. I was shooting thru a t-threaded barlow (no eyepiece). In my favour however, the scope has an excellent MoonLite CR2 dual rate focuser and a Telrad - so at least it's feasible to get on target and focused. But targets wobble & then drift out of view pretty damn quick hehe...

But now I'm motivated. I think the problem I had the other night is that I can't rack in far enough to focus without the barlow lense screwed in. I think I will get one of those 40mm lense/adaptor combos so I can get a decent FOV & try afocal.

Definitely got that cheesy grin now hehe!

ving (David) · #9 13-12-2005, 02:24 PM

keep it up fred!

your a persistant guy hey!

davidpretorius · #10 13-12-2005, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rochler

I think the problem I had the other night is that I can't rack in far enough to focus without the barlow lense screwed in. I think I will get one of those 40mm lense/adaptor combos so I can get a decent FOV & try afocal.

great stuff!!!

in my 10" straight from the shop, there was not enough inward travel for me to use the 1.25" adapter and the toucam. Moving the secondary mirror a couple of turns closer to the primary mirror and i was right. a 2.4x barlow and the toucam works well too.

with the 40m eyepiece proection, make sure you can return it if it does not work. I had a lot of trouble trying to achieve focus with the eyepiece projection combos from telescopes and astronomy in SA. They were great on that i got a full refund, but be warned.. i could not get it to work in a 10" reflector.

I believe i needed a longer extension tube.

i now have a digiscope which clamps to the eyepiece and then the toucam is also attached so that it is a camera mount